Darlington Raceway Week to lead into Southern 500

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The week of the Southern 500 will take on an even more important meaning in 2009 after the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives passed a Concurrent Resolution declaring it Darlington Raceway Week in South Carolina.

Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning took part in the announcement Wednesday at the State House.

The Southern 500 is set to make a comeback this Mother's Day weekend at Darlington Raceway during the historic track's 60th year of racing and two NASCAR legends, Ned Jarrett and Bondy Long, were on hand recently to help unveil the new event logo.

Jarrett recorded 50 wins during his 13-year career with 27 of them coming during the 1964 and '65 seasons with Long and Camden, S.C.-based Bowani Racing. The duo also claimed victory in the 1965 Southern 500 by a NASCAR-record 14 laps on their way to the series championship.

"Winning the Southern 500 in '65 was the biggest win of my career," said Jarrett, a two-time Cup champion. "It was even more special to win because at the time we lived in Camden, S.C., and when we got back to our house it seemed like the whole community was waiting for us to get there and celebrate our victory."

"I'd say it was our biggest win, too. We won two Atlanta 500s, but that race at Darlington, being in close proximity to Camden ... I mean, that's your home court. It felt so good to win that race," said Long, a lifelong Camden native.

"Having Ned and Bondy here to help us unveil the new Southern 500 logo certainly makes this event very special," Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning said. "The history these guys have together, particularly at Darlington with their win in the 1965 Southern 500, is very impressive."

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"Having the week of the Southern 500 declared Darlington Raceway Week is very special for everyone in the state of South Carolina," Browning said. "Darlington Raceway Week brings even more significance to our 60th season of racing in 2009. We appreciate the efforts of the Darlington Delegation to introduce this resolution in the State Senate and State House of Representatives."

Darlington has been a NASCAR staple since 1950.

"South Carolina's Darlington Raceway has played a huge role in NASCAR becoming the largest spectator sport in America," Speaker Bobby Harrell said. "The track that is 'Too Tough to Tame' and the great South Carolinians that keep it running at full throttle deserve this recognition and honor as we continue to see this industry and fan base grow around the raceway that helped start it all."

In addition to the announcement of the Concurrent Resolution, Darlington officials also unveiled the findings of a recently completed economic impact study conducted by Washington Economics Group Inc., which found the raceway generates an annual economic benefit of $54 million for the Pee Dee region and state of South Carolina including the creation of 874 jobs in the region.

The economic impact study was conducted throughout a period of several months and utilized the IMPLAN model, which quantifies the direct and indirect benefits of economic activity. In addition to identifying the total economic impact of $54 million, the study also found that:

• NASCAR events and other activities throughout the year at Darlington Raceway result in $19 million of labor income for workers throughout South Carolina annually, benefiting workers in all sectors of the state's economy.

• These activities are also an important source of fiscal revenues. Each year these activities produce more than $7.9 million for federal, state and local governments. Of this total, $3.4 million flow directly to state and local governments.

• Year-round track operations contribute $30 million annually toward South Carolina's gross state product. Referred to by economists as "value added," this is the portion of business revenues that provides compensation to workers and capital income. Value added also is the principle source of income to households and a key measure of Darlington Raceway's ongoing contributions to the South Carolina economy.

"We take a great deal of pride in being good corporate and community citizens and the results of this study demonstrate our significant contributions to the Pee Dee region and state of South Carolina," Browning said. "We are thrilled to have such a significant, positive impact on the economy of South Carolina and expect to continue generating economic benefits to the state for years to come."

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford agrees.

"Darlington Raceway is nothing short of legendary in the world of motorsports, and it continues to play an important role in its contributions to the Pee Dee region and the state as a whole. Were both proud of its history, and look forward to its long future," Sanford said.

Darlington Raceway hosts two major NASCAR races a year, one each in the Cup and Nationwide series. Additionally, the track also hosts the Darlington Historic Racing Festival each September celebrating the history of oval-track racing. During the 2008 Cup Series race, Darlington Raceway hosted fans from all 50 states and more than seven different countries.

"I join the entire General Assembly in the celebration of 60 Years of Racing on the most popular tracks in the NASCAR racing world," Sen. Gerald Malloy said. "I have always been a proud supporter of Darlington Raceway and the announcement of the annual economic impact to the local economy reflects the success of the hardworking people of Darlington County and the hardworking staff at the Darlington Raceway. This announcement is just another nationally recognized example of Darlington County's commitment to sports destination tourism and stimulus to the economy."

Tickets to the Southern 500, as well as the Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Darlington ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at http://www.darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/.

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